Multiple-fastening device



' Mar. 5', 1929.y H, z, COBB 1,703,924

MULTIPLE FASTENINGDEVIE Filed March 29, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l vwcn toa Z HENRY Z. C055 @5% hi@ Sito/41mg I v l ,W

` Mar. 5, 1929. H, z, COBB 1,703,924

MULTIPLE FASTENING DsvIcE Filed March 29, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 r YYEYEYYYEE ".5 of the invention,

rai-aaa Mar. 5,1929.

:UNITED STATES HENnir z. COBB, or PROVIDENCE; RHODE ISLAND, AssIeNoii. To THE sHoE HARDWARE COMPANY, or wATnmsUnY, CONNECTICUT, ACORPORATION or CONNECTICUT.

Application iled- March 29, 1924. Serial No. 702,719.

' This invention relates to separable fasteny l.ers,and more particularly, multiple-operated types thereof in which an entire series of fasv '.teiiing` elements is engaged by movement of 5.a slider lengthwise the row of fasteners.

lt aims tovprovide aconstruction in which the slider may be employed to successively inter-engage a` series of. snap fastening elementsby movement thereofin one direction,

- no 'and then,.if desired-,returned .to its starting position, topresent a-smart appearance, simulatin f for instance the appearance of a smallV`v tickle at the'bottom of the Opening on a gaiter-.jilt also aims to provide aconstrucl tion andmoiintin'g-'of the snap fastening elements Whichmaybe' operated reliably and without jamming, by'a simple form of slider -which .maybe constructed of sheet metal at a low cost." And it further aims to provide a construction and arrangement in which the 1 opening oir-'separation of the fasteners may be effected manually by pulling on one of the daps or stringers atv the sides of the opening. And it aims still'further, to rovide a construction` that is incapable of eing rendered inoperative in service'under the conditions that ordinarilyv obtain, in other words, is practically.- foolproof. Other objects of the invention and advantages will appear later in 3o the detailed description of same.

With the illustrated embodiment in mind and without intention to limit more than is required by the prior art, the invention, briefly described, lconsists in av series of la5 col-operating male and female elements mounted on the opposite margins of an opening in an article, which elements are adapted to lbe closed only b movement in one direction of a slider w ich isr'C-sha ed in 4o. cross-section, the slider being Inova le to starting positionv without effect upon the inter-engaged fastening elements. Separa' tion of the fasteners may be accomplished by a rapid ripping operation. And in one form at least, the slider may be moved vautomatically as the fasteners'are ripped apart. Preferably, flanges or equivalent means are provided for preventing`sidewise disengagement of the slider when itis moved ylengthwise a roW of the fastening elements. z d

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in rhihe- Figure 1 is a plan view of a series of snap fasteners, showing the co-operating elements thereof applied to iiaps or stringers with a sl1der in an intermediate position; Figure 2 is a longitudinal section illustrating the successive engagement of the snap fasteners as they pass through the slider;

Figure 3 is a transverse section, on an enlarged. scale, illustrating the novel construe-- tionof the snap fasteners;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectionthrough the sl1der 'withl a snap fastener appearing in closed position;

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the slider;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the same;

Figures 7 and8 are cross-sections of modi-v fiedforms of male fastening elements, illustrating flanges for preventingl sidewise disen agement of the slider;

igure 9 is a plan view similar to Figure 1, showing another and the preferred form of the invention;

Figure 10 is across-section through the same taken through the slider;

And Figure 11 is a side elevation of the slider.

.The invention is primarily intended for application to aretics, shoes, and other articles of manufacture having a slit type of opening, or placket, which is permanently closed at one end only. But the invention is not so limited and may be used for closing openings in any articles of manufacture pertion, but arepreferably of a snap-fastening type, in which the elements 3 comprise divided and resilient heads 5, which are gripped and covered by a cap 6, and constitute female elements. The eo-Operating elements or studs 4 comprise'a ball portion 7, rising from a preferably, but not necessarily, dished .base 8, connected by an offset shank or web 9 toI an anchoring portion 10. The anchoring portions 1() preferably have a downwardly directed sleeve 11, which is adapted to'be crimped, as indicated at 12, onto the margins or stringers 2. By thus supporting and constructing the male or stud elements with their ball-carrying portions 8 in overhanging and spaced relation to `their anchoring portions 10, a guideway 13 is defined by one of the series o elements secured to a margin or stri er 2 for the reception of the lower and pressing lip 14 ofa slider 15,- which is approximatelv C-shaped inv .cross-section, as shown in Figure 4, another lip 16 of which slider is adapted to engage the margins of the cap portion 6 of the female elements 3, on the secondmargin or Stringer of the article;

The slider 15'is preferably flared when viewed in side-elevation, as in Figure 6, so

that in drawing-it'lengthwise the fasteners,

they may loosely enter it at one end and then be gradually pressed together by the opposed walls 14 and 14. See Figure 2 of the drawings. Registration (laterally) of the coop` erating fastening elements of the two series is insured by the down-turned lip 16, the wallA 16', and the free edge of the lower pressing lip 14. Any suitable means may be provided l drawings, in which case, the slider 15 desirthe inste ably has lthe edge of its lower lip 14 correspondingly bent or flanged. Or, the same end may be attained, and with possibly greater facility'in manufacture, by providing an `v upturned. flange 19 on the anchoring portions 20 at the other sidey of the studs 8.1 'Theflanges 18 and 19 may be bent into position before or after the stud members have been crimped, or otherwise secured, vto a margin of the opening, as convenient. Q Y

To halt movement of theslider, any suitable device may be employed at the opposite ends of the rows of fastening elements, for instance, ordinary snap-fasteners 30, whose studs are secured directly (not in overhanging spaced relation) to lthe body. fabric or margin 2, or whose yco-operating elements 31 and 32 vare too large -to enter the slider 15. It is to be understood,-however, that all 'of the fastening elements on therespective flaps or margins of the opening may be'made, if desired, of the same size and'shape to permit bodily removal of the slider from one end o f the row of fasteners at` the will of the user. Preferably, however, a large stud elementof the construction shown at 31 and 32, or some other suitable and `convenient stop, is provided at-the separable end of the opening to insure against removal of the slider, it being intended that the slider on `such articles as gaiters may be moved at the will of the user to a position over or below so that its operating linger-piece 17' (whic may be made of any suitable` de- .t e material ofthe Stringer, or by vulcaniza-v -40 and 41 are employed in conjunction with sign and material) may present a neat and, atv tractive appearance, somewhat after the fashion of a small buckle. y

It is to be noticed that the opposite; edges of the ball-carrying portions 8 of the stud elements are preferabl Adished or turned upwardly transversely o the length of the row in the forms of the invention above described and as illustrated clearly in Figure 2 of the drawings, to prevent the lower lip 14 of the 75 slider from catching or jamming in operation.

` In Figures 9, 10v and 11, of the drawings,

another and the 'preferred form of the invention is illustrated. In thisembodiment, the female elements 3 and co-operating male elements 4,; are of the same general construction.. `and' arrangement as previously described. The restraining flanges 19, however are preferably, but not necessarily, forme to revent the slider 15 from catching on their ends, as by bending the same, as indicated atr19. The flanges 19 may be concealed b a rib 19" formed by stitching a fold in tion if made of rubber. In addltion, in the throat or guidewa 13 of the male elements l4, is located a flexi le strip 40, which renders the upper wall of the guideway or throat 13 continuous. i In this way, a smooth unbrokenv surface or abutment is presented to the pressing lip 14 .ofthe'slider 15, whose-.operation f Ain service is thereby vgreatly facilitated. Desirably also,but'not .necessarily within the broadest-aspects of the invention, a second :fiexiblestrip 41 is also provided parallel with 100 the` first-mentioned strip 40. Between the two strips40 and 41, the lip 14 of the slider 15 may be positively conned and guided inits movement lengthwise the rows of fastening elements. When two flexible strips sidewise restraining flanges, such as 19 illustra-ted in Figure 10, or as indicated at 18 in Figure 7,- .the `entire device is rendered pract-icallIv foolproof in service. That is to say, no'

the s ider cannot become disengaged under the conditions that are usually encountered in service, it cannot catcher jam in any manner that necessitates journeying to a 'mechanic or repair man with the article, and 'Y curves or bends in such articles .as artics or gaiters may be negotiated by they slider 15 with certainty and facility. If vthe invention 'in this form is applied to gaiters, bendingof the individuals aced apart and superimposed ball and anc oring portions of the male elements 4 is minimized by the thickness of the interposed flexible strip or strips 40 and 41. But should they be bent'to the limited extent permitted by the added thickness of the one or more strips 40 and 41, subsequent operation of the slider 15 would cause l the pressing lip 14 to spread or bend back desirable as an alternative for the flanges 18 Cil ' comprising a .and 19, inasmuch as there would be tendency to spring the strips outI of place, and intermediate anchorage or fastening of these strips is not deemed desirable. The flexible strips 40 and 41 maybe variously secured at their opposite extremities and at the opposite ends of the rows' of fastening elements, but preferably by simply riveting them'together and to the underlying stringer, as indicated at 42 and 43. By such attachment, the slider 15 is prevented from being removed, that is, it is permanently mounted on the article. Obviously, to permit bodily removal of the slider 15, the upper iexible strip 40 may be secured to the overhanging portion ofthe endmost male element 4.

ln the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 9, the slider 15 may be, and preferably is, constructed as shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. .lf it be desired to move the slider 15 automatically Without grasping it when the snap fasteners are manually pulled or ripped apart in order to open the placket, a cam-lip 44 may be provided for successive engagement by the female elements 3.

llt will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited to the details of construction disclosed, which are merely illustrative of the principles underlying the 1nvention for 'an understanding of -Whose scope reference should be made to the accompanying claims.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim and desire to protect by Letters Pat-k ent is l1. A separable snap-fastening device for openings in'articles comprising, a series of fastening elements secured to and overhanging one margin, a series of co-operatingfastening elements on the other margin, and a device tracking the elements for inter-engaging them by movement thereof in one direction but ineffective thereonwhen moved in the opposite direction.

2. A separable snap-fastening device for openings in articles comprising, a series of fastening elements secured to and overhanging one margin in 'spaced-,relation thereto, a series of cooperatmg fastening elements on the other margin, and means for interengaging said-elements to close the opening slider C-shaped in cross-sec-.

tion. e

3.. A separable snap-fastening vdevice`for openings in articles comprising, a series of fastening'elements secured to and overhanging one margin in spaced relation thereto, a series of co-operating fastening elements on the othermargin, and a slider having opposed convergent Wall-portions for pressing said elements together and other Wall-portions for registering the two series of elements, said slider being freely movable over the closed fastening elements.

A4. A separable snap-fastening device for openings in articles comprising, a series of fastening elements secured-to and overhanging one margin in spaced relation thereto, a series of (xo-operating fastening elements on the other margin, means for inter-engaging said elements to close the opening comprising' a slider C-shaped in cross-section, and means on the first-mentioned series of fastening elements for preventing sidewise disengagement of the slider.-

5. A snap-fastener for separable closures comprising, `co-operating and inter-engageable male and female elements, said male elements having anchoring portions and studcarrying portions overhanging said anchoring portions and spaced therefrom, in combination with, a slider for` successively operating said elements.

6. A separable snap-fastening device comprising, cooperating and' inter-engageable male and female elements, said male elements having anchoring portions, stud-carrying portions overhanging the anchoring portions, and Shanks at one side of said anchoring portions, 'in combination with, a slider for, closing only said elements, said shanks preventing said slider from becoming disengaged in operation.

7. A separable snap-fastening device comprising, co-operating and inter-'engageable rows of male and female elements, said male elements having anchoring portions and stud-carrying portions overhanging the anchoring portions, said stud-carrying portions having oppositely located bent edges disposed transversely the length ofthe row thereof, in combination with, a slider for closing said elements having a lip and opposed wall co-operating Withsaid lip for pressing said male and female elements successively together, said lip being adapted to engage under said stud-carrying portions and to be cammed downwardly by the bent edges of said stud-carrying portions.

8. A separable snap-fastening device for openings in articles comprising, series of stud and socket elements secured at intervals to the respective margins of an opening, one of said series of elements havinganchoring portions spaced from and below its studs, a closing slider, and means located between said' anchoring portions and studs of one of the series of elements f or guiding the slider in its operation.

' anchoring portions and studs 9. A separable snap-fastening device for openings in articles comprising, series of stud and socket elements secured at inter; vals to the respective margins of an opening, one of said series of elements having anchoring portions spaced from and below its studs, a closing slider, and a flexible strip below and immediately adjacent the stud elements constituting a continuous abutment and guide for the slider. M

10. A separable snap-fastening device for openings in articles comprising, series of stud and socket elements secured at intervals to the respective margins of an opening, one of said series of elements having anchoring portions spaced from and below its studs, a closing slider, and a spring metal strip interposed between the slider and one of said series of elements for facilitating its operation.

11. A separable snap-fastening device for openings in articles comprising, series of stud and socket elements secured at intervals to the respective margins of an opening, one of said series of elements havinganchoring portions spaced from and below-its studs, a closing slider, a flexible strip Vbelow and immediately adjacent the stud elements constituting a, continuous abutment for the slider, and means flanking the strip for preventing sidewise disengagement of the slider.

12. A separable snap-fastening device for openings in articles comprising, series of stud and socket elements secured at intervals to the respective margins of an opening, one of said series of elements having anchoring portions spaced from and below its studs, a closing slider, a spring metal strip interposed between the slider and one of said series of elements for facilitating its operation, and

flanges located at one side. of said stud elements for preventing sidewlse disengagement of the slider.

. 13. Aseparable-snapfastening device for openings in articles comprlsmg, series of stud and socket elements secured at intervals to the respective margins of an opening, one of said series of elements having anchoring portions spacedfrom and below its studs, a closing slider having a pressing lip, and'a pair of flexible strips located between Said of one of the series of elements for engagin the opposite sides of said pressing lip and acilitating the pperation of the slider;

14.- A separable snap-fastening device for openings in articles comprising, series of stud and socket elements secured at intervals f' strips to the-respective margins of an opening, one of said series of elements having anchoring portions spaced from and below its studs, a closing. slider, and a pair of spring metal located between said anchoring por- ,tions and studs and defining a flexible guideway for a portion of said slider whereby to facilitate its operation.

15. A separable snap-fastening device for openings in articles comprising, series of stud and socket elements secured at intervals to the respective margins of an opening, one of said series of elements having anchoring portions spaced from and below the studs, a closing slider,and a pair of spring metal strlps in superimposed parallelrelation secured only at the opposite ends of one of the series of elements and located between said anchoring portions and studs for guiding the slider in its operation.

16. A separable snap-fastening device for openings in articles comprising, 'series of stud and socket elements secured at intervals tothe respective margins of an opening, one of said series of elements having anchoring portions spaced from and below the studs,

strips in superimposed parallel relation secured together only at their opposite extremities adjacent the ends of one of the series 0f elements, said strips extendin beneath the elements of one series and de ning a con; tinuous resilient guideway and abutment for the slider.

17 .l A separable snap-fastening device for openings in articles comprising, a series of fastening elements secured to and overhanging one margin, a series of co-operatin fastening elements on the other margin, a evice tracking the elements for inter-engaging them by movement thereof in one direction but ineffective thereon when moved in the opposite direction, and means for preventing sidewise disengagement of the slider from the elements.

18 In a sna fastener, a male element comrislng an anc oring portion, a ball carrying portion spaced from and overhanging said anchoring portion, and an offset shank connectin said portions.

19. separable snap-fastening device for openings in articles comprising a series of interengageable fastening elements on each margin, and a slider tracking the elements and provided with an unobstructed converging passage acting to interengage the elements when movedbinone direction and permitting movement of the slider over the engaged'elements without effecting disengagement thereof.

20. A separable snap-fastening device for openings in articles comprising a series of interengageable fastening elements on each margin, and a slider tracking the elements and provided with an unobstructed converging passage acting to inter-engage said ele-y ments as they move therethrough in one direction and permitting the passage of the acting to interengage the elements when 10 moved inone direction and permitting movement of the slider over the engaged elements Without effecting disengagement thereof.

Signed at Providence, county of Provi dence, and State of Rhode Island, this 27th 15 day of March, 1924:. 'p l HENRY Z. COBB. 

